bookworm

noun

book·​worm ˈbu̇k-ˌwərm 

: a person unusually devoted to reading and study

Synonyms of bookworm

• nerd
• geek

Examples of bookworm in a Sentence

She was always a bookworm when she was a kid.

a bookworm who prefers reading to just about any other activity

Recent Examples on the Web

While many users don’t need anything to bridge the gap between their phone and computer, others find that a tablet can supercharge their workday, commute, or entertainment—especially for creatives and bookworms. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

This year, there’s something for nearly every interest, from cheese lovers and bookworms to crafty adults and puzzle enthusiasts. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Alastair Stout will play Harry’s best friend Ronald Weasley, and Arabella Stanton will round out the classic trio of heroes as bookworm Hermione Granger, who matches the courage of the previous two Gryffindors. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026

What started as a hobby for two sisters, who were born and raised on Milwaukee's south side, has transformed into two organizations that bring books by Latino authors to new readers and bookworms alike. — Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bookworm

• affirm
• budworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• midterm
• ringworm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm

Kids Definition

bookworm

noun

book·​worm -ˌwərm 

1

: any of various insect larvae that feed on the binding and paste of books

2

: a person devoted to reading or study